2012 Arietta Hudson Vineyards Merlot

2012 Arietta Hudson Vineyards Merlot

Vinous 95pts: "Arietta's 2012 Merlot emerges from the oldest vines on Lee Hudson's vineyard in Carneros. A dark, super-expressive wine, the Merlot is endowed with serious depth, power and structure. Brambly red fruit, smoke, tobacco and grilled herbs emerge from a surprisingly big, structured wine that should drink well for many, many years. This is the finest and most complete set of wines I can remember tasting from Arietta. Proprietor Fritz Hatton and winemaker Andy Erickson seem to have reached a new level of quality with the 2012s and 2013s, both of which are brilliant. This is a fabulous showing from top to bottom. (AG)"

Wine Advocate 92pts: "The 2012 Merlot Hudson Vineyards comes from two of the most renowned blocks of that hallowed site, the southwest-facing G and I blocks. Its color is nearly more opaque and denser than the Cabernet Sauvignon’s, and the aromas include mocha, plum and cassis. With good acidity and underlying earthiness, medium to full body, and attractive freshness, exuberance and vigor, this top-notch, serious Merlot is still young. While I am not opposed to infanticide on this one, it is capable of lasting (and may get even better) for another 10-15 years. From well-known auctioneer and musician, Fritz Hatton, and his wife, Caren, the Arietta offerings are always among the more interesting and singular from Napa Valley. (RP)"

IWC 90-92pts: "Bright medium red. Musky aromas of plum, chocolate, mocha and truffle. Sweet and dense on the palate, but without quite the perfume of the 2011 version. Attractive flavors of dark berries and exotic spices are complicated by a whiff of game. This very young wine finishes with a firm spine of ripe tannins. (ST)"

Details

Producer Notes: Certainly a classic vintage, 2012 delivered fruit with brilliant purity, structure, and a strong sense of place. This unique—one might say historic—block of Merlot shows the best that this variety has to offer in California. Well-proportioned, fresh, flavorful, dark and complex, this wine is sure to impress lovers of Pomerol, and show that California is capable of producing wines with strength, yes, but also nuance, delicacy, and multiple layers of interest. This wine should continue to open and develop over the next decade, and age gracefully for another decade or two.

The 2012 Arietta Merlot Hudson Vineyards reaffirms our commitment to and love for the sophistication that moderately cool climate, correct soil conditions, and superb vineyard management can bring to varietal Merlot. In the past we produced Arietta Merlot only intermittently, but after the success of the Arietta Merlot Hudson Vineyards 2011, we decided to make Hudson single block single vineyard Merlot one of Arietta’s core red wines in every vintage. Our distinguished and close friend, winegrower Lee Hudson, has entrusted us with most of the I Block of Merlot on the original part of his ranch, planted in 1986. The vines in the I Block, planted at the same time as the H Block Cabernet Franc just above it, are in a perfect state of health and maturity. The richness, layering, power, and density of the Arietta Merlot Hudson Vineyards are on full display in the 2012 vintage.